A TRIO of entrepreneurial brothers have proven sex sells after closing a deal for their condom company worth £6 million.

Pasante Healthcare, based in Lancing, is the largest independent condom manufacturer in the UK, producing 16 million condoms a year with a £7 million turnover.

The company has been sold to Malaysian company Karex Bhd, the biggest condom manufacturer in the world, with a capability of producing five billion a year, and responsible for one in the five condoms in the world.

Pasante founders Lawrence, Dominic and Paul Boon first went into business in 1993 after opening The Condom Store in Imperial Arcade, Brighton, before moving into wholesale.

The brothers seized an opportunity to build a serious business in 2000 when they snapped up former Durex staff who had been made redundant, by remortgaging their homes and investing their own money.

The gamble paid off, and the company has enjoyed year on year growth since 2002, with the credit crunch reportedly boosting business as amorous couples stayed at home to save money.

One of their biggest customers is the NHS. As well as condoms, they make sex toys and skin products from their warehouse in Lancing Business Park, and have just bought a new warehouse at the site.

Currently employing 35 staff, the deal will enable more recruitment at the company.

The brothers also founded and sold Shoreham based toymaker Paladone Products, and own Fizz Creations, also in Lancing.

Outgoing managing director Laurence, now a consultant at Pasante, said: "Karex is phenomenally huge and successful so we're very happy to have their support to grow. This is going to be a very good year."

The deal was hailed as evidence it was "business as usual" despite uncertainties over the Brexit vote.

Laurence added: "It was too good a deal for the purchasers - it's a perfect synergy for one of the top brands to take such a specialist for their portfolio."

Nik Askaroff, managing director of EMC Corporate Finance, which brokered the deal, added: "Despite fears of the 'Brexit effect’ the buyers were keener than ever to complete in order to benefit from the currency movements in their favour.

"We believe that more overseas buyers will follow their lead for the right transactions."

EMC adviser Terry Rainback helped seal the deal on Friday, with support from David Gordon of Mayo Wynne Baxter and Barry Carden from Cardens Accountants.